Illumination assembly for shop illumination

ABSTRACT

For illuminating an object and generating a light image, e.g. for presentation of the object, an illumination assembly comprises a reflective part for illumination and a diffractive part for generating the light image. A light source such as a LED Light source is used for generating the light.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to an illumination assembly forilluminating an object.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

In a shop, products are stacked in a rack, or the like, and presented toa customer. In order to attract the attention of the customer, theproducts should be clearly visible. Further, preferably, also othersigns are provided for attracting the attention of the customer. Such asign may provide information about the product, the price of the productor other relevant information, for example.

In JP2006071690 it is described to use an image-creating body and alight emitting diode (LED) to project a light image on a first side of atranslucent screen, thereby generating a shadow image on a second sideof the translucent screen. Thus, using a text, a brand mark or the likemay be shown as a light image.

OBJECT OF THE INVENTION

It is an object of the present invention to provide an illuminationsystem for illuminating an object and for generating a light image.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The object is achieved in an illumination assembly according to claimThe illumination system comprises at least one light source, such as aLED, for generating light. The light source is arranged such that a partof the generated light is directed at a reflective part of theillumination assembly. The reflective part is arranged and configured toilluminate the object, such as an article for sale or a wall. Further,the light source is arranged such that another part of the generatedlight is directed at a diffractive part. The diffractive part isconfigured to shape a distribution of the light, thereby generating alight image.

The reflective part may comprise a reflector to reflect the lightgenerated by the light source and/or the reflective part may comprise adiffractive reflective part to re-direct the light. For example, adiffractive reflective part may be used to generate a light spotdirected at a particular product on a shelf.

In an embodiment, the reflective part may comprise a second lightsource. The second light source may be, for example, a reflective OLED(organic light emitting diode), thereby generating more light andilluminating the object even more.

The diffractive part may comprise a transmissive diffractive elementsuch that light generated by the light source may pass through thediffractive element. A person positioned on a side of the diffractiveelement opposite of said element compared to the light source mayperceive a three-dimensional image, when looking at the diffractiveelement.

The diffractive part may comprise a reflective diffractive element forgenerating a three-dimensional light image on the object. The object maybe, for example, a wall. As mentioned above, it may also be used forhighlighting a product on a shelf, or the like.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Hereinafter, the present invention is elucidated with reference to theappended drawings showing non-limiting embodiments, wherein:

FIG. 1 shows a first embodiment of an illumination assembly according tothe present invention;

FIG. 2 shows a second embodiment of an illumination assembly accordingto the present invention;

FIG. 3 shows a third embodiment of an illumination assembly according tothe present invention;

FIG. 4 shows a fourth embodiment of an illumination assembly accordingto the present invention;

FIG. 5 shows a fifth embodiment of an illumination assembly according tothe present invention; and

FIG. 6 shows a sixth embodiment of an illumination assembly according tothe present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXAMPLES

In the drawings, same reference numerals refer to same elements. FIG. 1shows an illumination assembly 10 arranged relative to a display D ofproducts. The products are arranged on shelves, for example. Theillumination assembly 10 comprises a light source 12, for example a LEDlight source, for generating light. The illumination assembly 10 furthercomprises a reflective part 20 comprising a reflector 22 and adiffractive part 30 comprising a transmissive diffractive element 32.Further, an eye E of a person, e.g. a customer, is shown, Also, an imageI is shown. The image I is a virtual image that may be perceived by theperson, as is elucidated below. Arrows A represent exemplary light raytrajectories.

In operation, the illumination assembly 10 illuminates the products onthe display D. To achieve this, the light generated by the light source12 is reflected by the reflector 22. The reflector 22 is shaped suchthat substantially the whole display D, or a predetermined part thereof,is illuminated as illustrated by the arrows A. Further, a part of thegenerated light passes through the transmissive diffractive element 32.A part of said light reaches the eye E and the image I is perceived bythe person. The image I may be a three-dimensional image of a logo, abrand name, a trademark or any other sign, for example.

FIG. 2 shows a second embodiment of the illumination assembly 10.Compared to the first embodiment illustrated in FIG. 1, the reflectivepart of the second embodiment is provided with a diffractive reflectiveelement 24. The diffractive reflective element 24 may replace thereflector 22 or may be used in combination with the reflector 22. Thediffractive reflective element 24 enables more accurate shaping of thereflected light and thus the illumination of the display D.

FIG. 3 shows a third embodiment of the illumination assembly 10.Compared to the first embodiment illustrated in FIG. 1, the reflectivepart of the third embodiment is provided with a reflective organic lightemitting diode (OLED) 26, or a number of OLEDs 26. The OLEDs 26 generateadditional light, thereby enabling better illumination of the display D.Moreover, since the display D receives light from the OLEDs 26, thefirst light source 12 may transmit more light through the diffractiveelement 32, thereby obtaining a brighter image 1. The reflective OLEDs26 may be used instead of, or in combination with, the reflector 22and/or the diffractive reflective element 24.

FIG. 4 shows a fourth embodiment of an illumination assembly 10. Theillumination assembly 10 is configured to illuminate a wall W and toproject an image I on the wall W. Of course, the wall W may as well be adisplay D, or the like. In the fourth embodiment, a suitably shapedreflector 22 is used to illuminate the wall WA reflective diffractiveelement 34 is used to generate the image I on the wall W.

FIG. 5 shows a fifth embodiment of the illumination assembly 10.Compared to the fourth embodiment, the reflective part 20 comprises areflective diffractive element 24 instead of, or in combination with,the reflector 22. As illustrated in FIG. 6, the reflective part 20 mayfurther comprise a reflective OLED 26, or a number of reflective OLEDs26.

Although detailed embodiments of the present invention are disclosedherein, it is to be understood that the disclosed embodiments are merelyexemplary embodiments of the invention, which can be embodied in variousforms. Therefore, specific structural and functional details disclosedherein are not to be interpreted as limiting, but merely as a basis forthe claims and as a representative basis for teaching one skilled in theart to variously employ the present invention in virtually anyappropriately detailed structure.

Further, the terms and phrases used herein are not intended to belimiting, but rather to provide an understandable description of theinvention. The terms “a” or “an”, as used herein, are defined as one ormore than one. The term another, as used herein, is defined as at leasta second or more. The terms including and/or having, as used herein, aredefined as comprising (i.e., open language).

1. Illumination assembly for illuminating an object and for generating alight image, the illumination assembly comprising: a light source forgenerating light; a reflective part comprising a reflector or areflective diffractive element arranged relative to the light sourcesuch that light generated by the light source is reflected towards theobject for illuminating the object; and a diffractive part arrangedrelative to the light source such that light generated by the lightsource generates the light image.
 2. Illumination assembly according toclaim 1, wherein the diffractive part comprises a transmissivediffractive element and wherein the light source is arranged on a firstside of the transmissive diffractive element.
 3. Illumination assemblyaccording to claim 2, wherein the transmissive diffractive element isconfigured to generate a three-dimensional light image on a second sideof the transmissive diffractive element.
 4. Illumination assemblyaccording to claim 1, wherein the diffractive part comprises areflective diffractive element.
 5. Illumination assembly forilluminating an object and fir generating a light image, theillumination assembly comprising: a first light source for generatinglight; a reflective part comprising a second light source arrangedrelative to the light source such that light generated by the firstlight source is reflected by the second light source towards the objectfor illuminating the object; and a diffractive part arranged relative tothe light source such that light generated by the light source generatesthe light image.
 6. Illumination assembly according to claim 5, whereinthe second light source is a reflective organic light emitting diode. 7.Illumination assembly according to claim 5, wherein the diffractive partcomprises a transmissive diffractive element.